Concordia University

Concordia University is a large, urban university, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university has two campuses, set approximately 7 km apart: Sir George Williams Campus is in the downtown core of Montreal, and Loyola Campus is in the residential west-end of Montreal. They are connected by a free shuttle-bus service for students, faculty and staff. Although founded in 1974, the university traces its academic roots back to the early 20th century, with the development of the Jesuit-run Loyola College and the YMCA based Sir George Williams University.

Concordia was the first in Montreal to receive accreditation from the (AACSB), thus ranking it among other leading business schools such as Harvard, Wharton, and Northwestern.The AACSB also accredited the Accountancy program, making it the first recognised Canadian business school Accountancy program.

Campus facilities

Libraries

Concordia Libraries offers a wealth of information, both in print and in electronic formats. CLUES, the library catalogue, provides access to collections of books, periodicals, electronic resources, audio-visual material and more. Students can also choose from an extensive list of online databases and e-journals to find references to, as well as full-text versions of articles, reports and statistical data in a variety of subject areas. Most electronic services are available both in the libraries and from home.

IT

Internet is available across campus. A single login – your MyConcordia netname and password – lets you access an array of services, including:

Students may activate a Concordia Office365 email account. To set it up, log into MyConcordia and select Personal Services > Computer Accounts & Passwords.

Email address format: yournetname@live.concordia.ca

Other (Gym, clubs and societies)

The University holds instructional activities. The facility houses two, full-length, state-of-the-art artificial playing surfaces with lighting, one of which is a 4000-seat stadium, as well as the Ed Meagher Arena, a gymnasium and a weight room.

Academic calendar

Academic life

Most of the teaching consists of lectures but students will have many different workshops, seminars and group works.

Buddy-system and orientation session

Concordia International Student Association (CISA) provides Orientation Sessions, welcome events, a mentor/buddy system (voluntary), on-going support, cultural events for all international students at Concordia. CISA have a lounge located in the main Hall building where students can study, use free telephones, etc.

JMSB Int’l Student Exchange Program Committee (JIC) provides specific support to incoming business exchange students. While some of their events are partnered with CISA, they also provide additional support: access to the JMSB CASA student computer labs, Welcome Centre at the JMSB, Special cultural events such as barbecues & cocktails for all incoming, outgoing and alumni from the exchange program, Student Exchange Fair, ski trips, trip to NYC, etc.

Workload

You are required to take 30 ECTS or equivalent* per SPA semester from the subjects approved by EBSL, although you may want to register for more if you wish.

Please note the following when selecting your modules:

You may not enrol in any course that you have previously taken at EBS London, Regent's University London

Disability provisions

Please contact the IPO for more information regarding the support services at Concordia University.

Lifestyle

Canada is the second largest country in the world by total area. Occupying most of northern North America, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean.

The city of Montreal is very French and bi-lingual. Making an effort to speak French is appreciated by the local people.

Generally, Montreal is considered a safe city and international travellers should use their normal precaution in exploring the city. Students should visit the following links to find out more..

Accommodation

Montréal is a relatively affordable city and it is not too difficult to find lodging once you have arrived. The International Students Office provides a Housing Support group that is staffed by volunteers who can help you find a nice apartment or room in Montréal. Approximate cost: CS$400 upwards per month. For further information on this service please consult the ISO’s website.

On-Campus Housing

University accommodation is very limited and only available for full year students. Concordia advise that it is usually easy to find a sublet, as many students return home for the summer but want to keep their appartments for the following academic year.

Concordia students have two options for housing accommodations — they can either live in Residence, or find off-campus housing.

ResidenceConcordia University offers residence housing at both campuses.

Loyola — Hingston Hall and Jesuit Residences: 183 students

Sir George Williams — Grey Nuns residence: 241 students

While efforts are made to meet specific requirements for particular rooms, assignments depend upon availability of places. Priority is given to first-year full-time undergraduate students 17–22 years old who reside more than 50 km outside of Montreal and its surrounding areas.

You can apply for housing only once you have been granted conditional or final acceptance. Acceptance to the University does not guarantee admission to residence. If we cannot accommodate your request immediately, you will be put on a waiting list until space becomes available.

Finding a place to live is a source of great anxiety for new international students, yet, within five to seven days, most students are successful in finding, not only an apartment, but a roommate as well. So rest assured that you will be able to find something to suit your taste and your budget. You may not be able to find an apartment in downtown Montreal because the vacancy rate is less than 1%, but you will surely find an apartment along a metro/subway line or bus line. Montreal has a reliable and efficient transportation system.Plan to arrive at least two weeks before classes begin in order to give yourself time to look around, choose a suitable place, buy furniture and get settled. Arriving a few weeks early can make all the difference between feeling in control or being in a state of panic. Information about apartment-hunting will be provided during the ISO Immigration Orientation, and you will have a chance at the end of the sessions to meet other students who are also looking for housing or roommates.

Drop-in to the ISO Housing Support Group for more hands-on information10.1 ISO HOUSING SUPPORT GROUP This vital service will be available on a daily basis starting in mid-August for students arriving for the Fall term, and January for students coming for the Winter term. Staffed by international student volunteers, the group will offer practical tips on housing, access to classified ads, newspapers, and maps – plus a little human contact and the benefit of their own personal experience. Location and schedule will be available when you come to the ISO Immigration Orientation, in the ISO office or on the web site at

TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATIONWe strongly recommend that before your departure, you make a hotel reservation for at least one week; this should give you enough time to look around for roommates and an apartment. The last two weeks in August and the beginning of September fall right in a busy tourist period in Montreal, and even more so because of the Montreal International Film Festival. If you don’t book a room in advance, you will have great difficulty finding a place to stay. The vacancy rate in Montreal has been steadily dropping, and apartment hunting has become more difficult, so arrive early and give yourself enough time for a sensible search. The CSU Off-Campus Housing and Job Bank offers a list of cheap hostels, some of which are specially priced for Concordia students.To obtain this list and further information please download the pdf file from their website: hojo.csu.qc.ca. Then click on the “Resources” link in the Hojo Menu (on the left). You will then see a link for Temporary Accomodation. Hostels are an inexpensive way to find temporary accommodations.

Rental Costs (in Canadian Dollars):Rents vary from building to building depending on age, condition and location. In general, apartments are not furnished, but many are equipped with a refrigerator and stove. If electricity and heat are not included in the rent, you will have to pay for these utilities. Typical monthly rents (not including heat and electricity) are:1 1/2 $700/mth2 1/2 $700/mth3 1/2 $900/mth4 1/2 $1200/mth5 1/2 $1400/mthBut we recommend you check the rental averages chart on hojo.csu.qc.ca to see the average rental amounts per size of apartment per area.

Finding a place to live is the first of many challenges for new students. Since there are very few places available in the on-campus Residence, most new students will have to find rooms or share apartments off campus. Montreal is a popular city so you may have to spend some time looking. Vacancy is lowest the closer you are to Montreal’s downtown core, we recommend that you look for apartments further away. Apartments closer to the downtown Sir George Williams campus tend to be more expensive, while those nearer tothe Loyola campus may be somewhat cheaper, with larger rooms. Don’t forget that theConcordia shuttle bus runs between the two campuses during class time, and is free for Concordia students. In general, the further you are from the heart of downtown, the more likely it is to find an apartment at a relatively lower rent; you will however have to calculate costs in terms of travel time. Of course, if you end up having to take the bus or métro to school, you will also enjoy the full flavour of living in Montreal.

ISO HOUSING SUPPORT GROUPThe ISO offers a Housing Support Group in mid-August and the first week in January. Staffed by international student volunteers, the group will offer practical tips on housing, access to classified ads, newspapers, and maps – plus a little human contact and the benefit of their own personal experience. Location and schedule will be available at the ISO.

WHERE TO LOOK FOR ACCOMMODATIONListed below are a few points of reference:

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OFFICEWaiting Room Bulletin Boards:For more detailed information on finding an apartment, and useful tips on where to buyfurniture, be sure to pick up a Housing flyer available at the ISO.

NEWSPAPERSCheck the Classified Ads section listed in the daily newspapers. See the Living in Montrealsection of the handbook for a list of Montreal newspapers.

Cost of living

Cost of living can vary depending on the student. However, please see below for some approximate costs:

- Accommodation: 400$ to 1000$

- Food: 300$

- Public transportation: 35$ to 70$

(*All estimates are in Canadian Dollars)

Tips

Student feedback can be found on Blackboard. Click here to log into Blackboard.

Application

Students who have been nominated to study at Concordia University will be sent an application pack via email the semester before they are due to start their SPA.

Health Insurance You must provide evidence of having an appropriate health insurance. This is usually required at the time of submitting your application.

Québec law requires that all international students and their accompanying spouses and children be covered by a health insurance plan that meets government standards, while living in Québec. In keeping with government directives, Concordia University has adopted a compulsory health insurance plan that all Concordia international students must have. Consequently, personal health insurance plans are not accepted. The Concordia Health Insurance Plan for international students is a comprehensive health and accident insurance plan at a competitive cost, specifically designed for international students and their dependents, and which meets Québec government standards. Only such students who fall within the exemption categories (Some exceptions apply) are eligible to opt-out of the Health Insurance Plan for International Students. The following medical insurance benefits are offered by the Concordia Health Insurance Plan for International Students: hospital benefit; medical, surgical and anaesthetic charges and consultations by doctors and specialists; pregnancy and well baby care (only if pregnancy commences after the starting date of the health insurance plan); eye examination; psychiatric services; prescription drugs, plus a number of other benefits.Detailed information on the extent of coverage is available on the International Students Office’s website and will be given to the student at the time the insurance card is issued: httis issued: p://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso/healthinsurance

Visa requirements

It is the student's responsibility to obtain an approprite visa. You must check with the Canadian Embassy if you require a student visa.